SYMBOLS USED IN CIRCUIT DIAGRAM Wires and connections Component Wire Circuit Symbol Function of Component To pass current

very easily from one part of a circuit to another. A 'blob' should be drawn where wires are connected (joined), but it is sometimes omitted. Wires joined Wires connected at 'crossroads' should be staggered slightly to form two T-junctions, as shown on the right. In complex diagrams it is often necessary to draw wires crossing even though they are not Wires not joined connected. I prefer the 'bridge' symbol shown on the right because the simple crossing on the left may be misread as a join where you have forgotten to add a 'blob'! Power Supplies Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component Supplies electrical energy. Cell The larger terminal (on the left) is positive (+). A single cell is often called a battery, but strictly a battery is two or more cells joined together. Supplies electrical energy. A battery is more than Battery one cell. The larger terminal (on the left) is positive (+). Supplies electrical energy. DC supply DC = Direct Current, always flowing in one direction. Supplies electrical energy. AC supply Fuse AC = Alternating Current, continually changing direction. A safety device which will 'blow' (melt) if the current

flowing through it exceeds a specified value. Two coils of wire linked by an iron core. Transformers are used to step up (increase) and Transformer step down (decrease) AC voltages. Energy is transferred between the coils by the magnetic field in the core. There is no electrical connection between the coils. A connection to earth. For many electronic circuits Earth (Ground) this is the 0V (zero volts) of the power supply, but for mains electricity and some radio circuits it really means the earth. It is also known as ground. Output Devices: Lamps, Heater, Motor, etc. Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component A transducer which converts electrical energy to Lamp(lighting) light. This symbol is used for a lamp providing illumination, for example a car headlamp or torch bulb. A transducer which converts electrical energy to Lamp(indicator) light. This symbol is used for a lamp which is an indicator, for example a warning light on a car dashboard. Heater A transducer which converts electrical energy to heat. A transducer which converts electrical energy to kinetic energy (motion). A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound.

Motor

Bell

Buzzer

A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound.

A coil of wire which creates a magnetic field Inductor (coil,solenoid) when current passes through it. It may have an iron core inside the coil. It can be used as a transducer converting electrical energy to mechanical energy by pulling on something. Switches Component Push Switch (push-to-make) Push-to-break switch On-Off Switch (SPST) Circuit Symbol Function of Component A push switch allows current to flow only when the button is pressed. This is the switch used to operate a doorbell. This type of push switch is normally closed (on), it is open (off) only when the button is pressed. SPST = Single Pole, Single Throw. An on-off switch allows current to flow only when it is in the closed (on) position. SPDT = Single Pole, Double Throw. 2-way Switch (SPDT) A 2-way changeover switch directs the flow of current to one of two routes according to its position. Some SPDT switches have a central off position and are described as 'on-off-on'. Dual On-Off Switch (DPST) DPST = Double Pole, Single Throw. A dual on-off switch which is often used to switch mains electricity because it can isolate both the live and neutral connections. DPDT = Double Pole, Double Throw. This switch can be wired up as a reversing switch for a motor. Some DPDT switches have a central off position.

Reversing Switch (DPDT)

An electrically operated switch, for example a 9V battery circuit connected to the coil can Relay switch a 230V AC mains circuit. NO = Normally Open, COM = Common, NC = Normally Closed. Resistors Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component A resistor restricts the flow of current, for example to limit the current passing through an Resistor LED. A resistor is used with a capacitor in a timing circuit. Some publications still use the old resistor symbol: This type of variable resistor with 2 contacts (a Variable Resistor (Rheostat) rheostat) is usually used to control current. Examples include: adjusting lamp brightness, adjusting motor speed, and adjusting the rate of flow of charge into a capacitor in a timing circuit. This type of variable resistor with 3 contacts (a Variable Resistor (Potentiometer) potentiometer) is usually used to control voltage. It can be used like this as a transducer converting position (angle of the control spindle) to an electrical signal. This type of variable resistor (a preset) is operated with a small screwdriver or similar tool. Variable Resistor (Preset) It is designed to be set when the circuit is made and then left without further adjustment. Presets are cheaper than normal variable resistors so they are often used in projects to reduce the cost. Capacitors Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component

A capacitor stores electric charge. A capacitor Capacitor is used with a resistor in a timing circuit. It can also be used as a filter, to block DC signals but pass AC signals. A capacitor stores electric charge. This type Capacitor, polarised must be connected the correct way round. A capacitor is used with a resistor in a timing circuit. It can also be used as a filter, to block DC signals but pass AC signals. Variable Capacitor A variable capacitor is used in a radio tuner. This type of variable capacitor (a trimmer) is Trimmer Capacitor operated with a small screwdriver or similar tool. It is designed to be set when the circuit is made and then left without further adjustment. Diodes Component Diode LED Light Emitting Diode Zener Diode Circuit Symbol Function of Component A device which only allows current to flow in one direction. A transducer which converts electrical energy to light. A special diode which is used to maintain a fixed voltage across its terminals. A light-sensitive diode.

Photodiode Transistors Component Circuit Symbol

Function of Component A transistor amplifies current. It can be used with other components to make an amplifier or switching circuit.

Transistor NPN

Transistor PNP

A transistor amplifies current. It can be used with other components to make an amplifier or switching circuit.

Phototransistor

A light-sensitive transistor.

Audio and Radio Devices Component Microphone Circuit Symbol Function of Component A transducer which converts sound to electrical energy. A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound.

Earphone

Loudspeaker

A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound.

Piezo Transducer

A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound. An amplifier circuit with one input. Really it is a block diagram symbol because it represents a circuit rather than just one component. A device which is designed to receive or transmit radio signals. It is also known as an antenna.

Amplifier (general symbol)

Aerial (Antenna) Meters and Oscilloscope Component Circuit Symbol

Function of Component

A voltmeter is used to measure voltage. Voltmeter The proper name for voltage is 'potential difference', but most people prefer to say voltage! Ammeter An ammeter is used to measure current.

Galvanometer

A galvanometer is a very sensitive meter which is used to measure tiny currents, usually 1mA or less. An ohmmeter is used to measure resistance. Most multimeters have an ohmmeter setting. An oscilloscope is used to display the shape of

Ohmmeter

Oscilloscope

electrical signals and it can be used to measure their voltage and time period.

Sensors (input devices) Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component A transducer which converts brightness (light) to LDR resistance (an electrical property). LDR = Light Dependent Resistor Thermistor A transducer which converts temperature (heat) to resistance (an electrical property).